Uncoiling is a short story by [[Laird Barron]] first published in the January 2022 edition of [Cosmic Horror Monthly](https://www.cosmichorrormonthly.com/). It's been [confirmed by Barron](https://twitter.com/LairdBarron/status/1468766757259300871) that the story is set in [[Antiquity]], his dark fantasy world set in an alternative history version of America. The story takes place in and around the fictional town of New Syracuse. --- ### __Main Characters & Alter Egos__ The story features the Antiquity [[Alter Ego]] counterparts of some recurring characters, mostly from the [[Isaiah Coleridge Series]] of novels. In the story, the mercenaries [[Isaiah Coleridge]], his dog companion Minerva and sidekick Lionel Robard fight off a group of bandits and encounter some weird stuff. These characters obviously can't be the exact same as the ones in the Isaiah Coleridge Series, but they share the names and core characteristics of the private detective and his friend. For example, Antiquity Isaiah often refers to ancient Greek mythology and has a seemingly undying love for his dog Minerva, while Antiquity Lionel is the sharpshooter and ladies' man of the two. Antiquity Isaiah Coleridge used to be a soldier but later turned mercenary. His weapon of choice is a spear named Pith. In the middle of a conversation, Robard asks Coleridge a seemingly completely unrelated question: “Can the same matter occupy the same space?” (Cosmic Horror Monthly, January 2022, p. ) Robard almost seems to ask this for us, the readers. When reading a story set in magical version of historical America dealing with alter egos of recurring characters, we might wonder about the bigger picture of Barron's fiction and some idea of a [[Multiverse]] or quantum narrative and ask ourselves that very same question. No idea what drives Lionel to ask his friend this, though. --- ### __The Croatoan__ Another recurring (and perhaps in this case alter ego) character who makes an appearance in Uncoiling is the [[Croatoan]]. In Uncoiling, Coleridge and Robard come across an abandoned campsite where they notice the letters 'CRO' carved into a tree. This is a similar occurance to one described at the end of the story [[Old Virginia]] and is not unlike the actual real world events of the Lost Colony. The Croatoan in Uncoiling is an evil entity in the shape of a woman who whistles and punishes people trespassing on sacred burial grounds: "[...] a sinister “woman” who massacred caravans, [recognizable by] strange whistling on the mountain trails. [...] The Croatoan. [...] Hill Creeper. Emasculator. She Who Whistles. Guardian of the Cairns. [...] She punishes trespassers and those who profane olden laws." (Cosmic Horror Monthly, January 2022, p. ) Uncoiling's Croatoan shows some similarities with both Croatoan as she appears in Old Virginia and the Croatoan as he appears in [[Black Mountain]]. For more info, see the notes on the [[Croatoan]]. --- ### __Other Mentions__ In the story, Coleridge and Robard meet Commander Stevens of Fort Tomahawk. One of the loggers featured in [[The Men from Porlock]] is named Stevens as well. We have no reason to believe that the Commander is the logger's alter ego, but the two characters might be in some way related seeing as the [[Children of Old Leech]] mention the logger Stevens' family name specifically: "You're a wily and resourceful fellow, Mr. Stevens, as are most of your doughty woodsmen kin." (The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All, p. ) [[The Great Dark]] is mentioned in the story. The Great Dark is a recurring concept usually signifying the coming of [[Old Leech]]. At one point in Uncoiling, a group of soldiers exchange macabre folklore tales around a bonfire at night: "Supernatural menaces abounded: Mimis (sneaky abductors), Death Heads (slayers of trysting couples), Limbless Ones (eaters of children), and a plethora of ghouls." (Cosmic Horror Monthly, January 2022, p. ) Mimis are actual Aboriginal folklore creatures who are also briefly mentioned in the stories [[Hallucigenia]] and [[Tiptoe]] The Limbless Ones are also mentioned in [[The Croning]] and are perhaps related to [[Old Leech]]. 'Limbless Ones' might be an alternative name for Its [[Children of Old Leech|Children]]. I don't think Death Heads are mentioned elsewhere in Barron's fiction. #Story #Antiquity #Coleridge